shoulditevenbethecommandincaprice——ofhislady。Itassumesthis，becauseitsmastersknewthatthefirstandnecessaryimpulseofeverytrulytaughtandknightlyheartisthisofblindservicetoitslady：thatwherethattruefaithandcaptivityarenot，allwaywardandwickedpassionmustbe;andthatinthisrapturousobediencetothesingleloveofhisyouth，isthesanctificationofallman’sstrength，andthecontinuanceofallhispurposes。Andthis，notbecausesuchobediencewouldbesafe，orhonourable，wereiteverrenderedtotheunworthy;butbecauseitoughttobeimpossibleforeverynobleyouth——itISimpossibleforeveryonerightlytrained——toloveanyonewhosegentlecounselhecannottrust，orwhoseprayerfulcommandhecanhesitatetoobey。
Idonotinsistbyanyfartherargumentonthis，forIthinkitshouldcommenditselfatoncetoyourknowledgeofwhathasbeenandtoyourfeelingofwhatshouldbe。Youcannotthinkthatthebucklingonoftheknight’sarmourbyhislady’shandwasamerecapriceofromanticfashion。Itisthetypeofaneternaltruth——
thatthesoul’sarmourisneverwellsettotheheartunlessawoman’shandhasbracedit;anditisonlywhenshebracesitlooselythatthehonourofmanhoodfails。Knowyounotthoselovelylines——IwouldtheywerelearnedbyallyouthfulladiesofEngland：—
\"Ah，wastefulwoman！——shewhomayOnhersweetselfsetherownprice，Knowinghecannotchoosebutpay—
Howhasshecheapen’dParadise！
Howgivenfornoughtherpricelessgift，Howspoiledthebreadandspill’dthewine，Which，spentwithduerespectivethrift，Hadmadebrutesmen，andmendivine！\"{24}
Thusmuch，then，respectingtherelationsofloversIbelieveyouwillaccept。Butwhatwetoooftendoubtisthefitnessofthecontinuanceofsucharelationthroughoutthewholeofhumanlife。
Wethinkitrightintheloverandmistress，notinthehusbandandwife。Thatistosay，wethinkthatareverentandtenderdutyisduetoonewhoseaffectionwestilldoubt，andwhosecharacterweasyetdobutpartiallyanddistantlydiscern;andthatthisreverenceanddutyaretobewithdrawnwhentheaffectionhasbecomewhollyandlimitlesslyourown，andthecharacterhasbeensosiftedandtriedthatwefearnottoentrustitwiththehappinessofourlives。Doyounotseehowignoblethisis，aswellashowunreasonable？Doyounotfeelthatmarriage，——whenitismarriageatall，——isonlythesealwhichmarksthevowedtransitionoftemporaryintountiringservice，andoffitfulintoeternallove？
Buthow，youwillask，istheideaofthisguidingfunctionofthewomanreconcilablewithatruewifelysubjection？SimplyinthatitisaGUIDING，notadetermining，function。Letmetrytoshowyoubrieflyhowthesepowersseemtoberightlydistinguishable。
Wearefoolish，andwithoutexcusefoolish，inspeakingofthe\"superiority\"ofonesextotheother，asiftheycouldbecomparedinsimilarthings。Eachhaswhattheotherhasnot：eachcompletestheother，andiscompletedbytheother：theyareinnothingalike，andthehappinessandperfectionofbothdependsoneachaskingandreceivingfromtheotherwhattheotheronlycangive。
Nowtheirseparatecharactersarebrieflythese。Theman’spowerisactive，progressive，defensive。Heiseminentlythedoer，thecreator，thediscoverer，thedefender。Hisintellectisforspeculationandinvention;hisenergyforadventure，forwar，andforconquest，whereverwarisjust，whereverconquestnecessary。
Butthewoman’spowerisforrule，notforbattle，——andherintellectisnotforinventionorcreation，butforsweetordering，arrangement，anddecision。Sheseesthequalitiesofthings，theirclaims，andtheirplaces。HergreatfunctionisPraise;sheentersintonocontest，butinfalliblyadjudgesthecrownofcontest。Byheroffice，andplace，sheisprotectedfromalldangerandtemptation。Theman，inhisroughworkinopenworld，mustencounterallperilandtrial;——tohim，therefore，mustbethefailure，theoffence，theinevitableerror：oftenhemustbewounded，orsubdued;oftenmisled;andALWAYShardened。Butheguardsthewomanfromallthis;withinhishouse，asruledbyher，unlesssheherselfhassoughtit，needenternodanger，notemptation，nocauseoferrororoffence。Thisisthetruenatureofhome——itistheplaceofPeace;theshelter，notonlyfromallinjury，butfromallterror，doubt，anddivision。Insofarasitisnotthis，itisnothome;sofarastheanxietiesoftheouterlifepenetrateintoit，andtheinconsistently—minded，unknown，unloved，orhostilesocietyoftheouterworldisallowedbyeitherhusbandorwifetocrossthethreshold，itceasestobehome;itisthenonlyapartofthatouterworldwhichyouhaveroofedover，andlightedfirein。Butsofarasitisasacredplace，avestaltemple，atempleofthehearthwatchedoverbyHouseholdGods，beforewhosefacesnonemaycomebutthosewhomtheycanreceivewithlove，——sofarasitisthis，androofandfirearetypesonlyofanoblershadeandlight，——shadeasoftherockinawearyland，andlightasofthePharosinthestormysea;——sofaritvindicatesthename，andfulfilsthepraise，ofHome。
Andwhereveratruewifecomes，thishomeisalwaysroundher。Thestarsonlymaybeoverherhead;theglowworminthenight—coldgrassmaybetheonlyfireatherfoot;buthomeisyetwhereversheis;andforanoblewomanitstretchesfarroundher，betterthanceiledwithcedar，orpaintedwithvermilion，sheddingitsquietlightfar，forthosewhoelsewerehomeless。
This，then，Ibelievetobe，——willyounotadmitittobe，——thewoman’strueplaceandpower？Butdonotyouseethat，tofulfilthis，shemust——asfarasonecanusesuchtermsofahumancreature——beincapableoferror？Sofarassherules，allmustberight，ornothingis。Shemustbeenduringly，incorruptiblygood;
instinctively，infalliblywise——wise，notforself—development，butforself—renunciation：wise，notthatshemaysetherselfaboveherhusband，butthatshemayneverfailfromhisside：wise，notwiththenarrownessofinsolentandlovelesspride，butwiththepassionategentlenessofaninfinitelyvariable，becauseinfinitelyapplicable，modestyofservice——thetruechangefulnessofwoman。Inthatgreatsense——\"Ladonnaemobile，\"not\"Qualpium’alvento\";
no，noryet\"Variableastheshade，bythelightquiveringaspenmade\";butvariableastheLIGHT，manifoldinfairandserenedivision，thatitmaytakethecolourofallthatitfallsupon，andexaltit。
（II。）Ihavebeentrying，thusfar，toshowyouwhatshouldbetheplace，andwhatthepowerofwoman。Now，secondly，weask，Whatkindofeducationistofitherforthese？
Andifyouindeedthinkthisatrueconceptionofherofficeanddignity，itwillnotbedifficulttotracethecourseofeducationwhichwouldfitherfortheone，andraisehertotheother。
Thefirstofourdutiestoher——nothoughtfulpersonsnowdoubtthis，——istosecureforhersuchphysicaltrainingandexerciseasmayconfirmherhealth，andperfectherbeauty;thehighestrefinementofthatbeautybeingunattainablewithoutsplendourofactivityandofdelicatestrength。Toperfectherbeauty，Isay，andincreaseitspower;itcannotbetoopowerful，norsheditssacredlighttoofar：onlyrememberthatallphysicalfreedomisvaintoproducebeautywithoutacorrespondingfreedomofheart。
Therearetwopassagesofthatpoetwhoisdistinguished，itseemstome，fromallothers——notbypower，butbyexquisiteRIGHTNESS——
whichpointyoutothesource，anddescribetoyou，inafewsyllables，thecompletionofwomanlybeauty。Iwillreadtheintroductorystanzas，butthelastistheoneIwishyouspeciallytonotice：—
\"Threeyearsshegrewinsunandshower，ThenNaturesaid，’AlovelierflowerOnearthwasneversown;
ThischildItomyselfwilltake;
Sheshallbemine，andIwillmakeAladyofmyown。’
’MyselfwilltomydarlingbeBothlawandimpulse;andwithmeThegirl，inrockandplain，Inearthandheaven，ingladeandbower，ShallfeelanoverseeingpowerTokindle，orrestrain。’
’ThefloatingcloudstheirstateshalllendToher，forherthewillowbend;
Norshallshefailtosee，Eveninthemotionsofthestorm，Gracethatshallmouldthemaiden’sformBysilentsympathy。’
’AndVITALFEELINGSOFDELIGHT
Shallrearherformtostatelyheight，—
Hervirginbosomswell。
SuchthoughtstoLucyIwillgive，WhilesheandItogetherlive，Hereinthishappydell。’\"{25}
\"VITALfeelingsofdelight，\"observe。Therearedeadlyfeelingsofdelight;butthenaturalonesarevital，necessarytoverylife。
Andtheymustbefeelingsofdelight，iftheyaretobevital。Donotthinkyoucanmakeagirllovely，ifyoudonotmakeherhappy。
Thereisnotonerestraintyouputonagoodgirl’snature——thereisnotonecheckyougivetoherinstinctsofaffectionorofeffort——
whichwillnotbeindeliblywrittenonherfeatures，withahardnesswhichisallthemorepainfulbecauseittakesawaythebrightnessfromtheeyesofinnocence，andthecharmfromthebrowofvirtue。
Thisforthemeans：nownotetheend。
Takefromthesamepoet，intwolines，aperfectdescriptionofwomanlybeauty—
\"AcountenanceinwhichdidmeetSweetrecords，promisesassweet。\"
Theperfectlovelinessofawoman’scountenancecanonlyconsistinthatmajesticpeace，whichisfoundedinthememoryofhappyandusefulyears，——fullofsweetrecords;andfromthejoiningofthiswiththatyetmoremajesticchildishness，whichisstillfullofchangeandpromise;——openingalways——modestatonce，andbright，withhopeofbetterthingstobewon，andtobebestowed。Thereisnooldagewherethereisstillthatpromise。
Thus，then，youhavefirsttomouldherphysicalframe，andthen，asthestrengthshegainswillpermityou，tofillandtemperhermindwithallknowledgeandthoughtswhichtendtoconfirmitsnaturalinstinctsofjustice，andrefineitsnaturaltactoflove。
Allsuchknowledgeshouldbegivenherasmayenablehertounderstand，andeventoaid，theworkofmen：andyetitshouldbegiven，notasknowledge，——notasifitwere，orcouldbe，forheranobjecttoknow;butonlytofeel，andtojudge。Itisofnomoment，asamatterofprideorperfectnessinherself，whethersheknowsmanylanguagesorone;butitisoftheutmost，thatsheshouldbeabletoshowkindnesstoastranger，andtounderstandthesweetnessofastranger’stongue。Itisofnomomenttoherownworthordignitythatsheshouldbeacquaintedwiththisscienceorthat;butitisofthehighestthatsheshouldbetrainedinhabitsofaccuratethought;thatsheshouldunderstandthemeaning，theinevitableness，andthelovelinessofnaturallaws;andfollowatleastsomeonepathofscientificattainment，asfarastothethresholdofthatbitterValleyofHumiliation，intowhichonlythewisestandbravestofmencandescend，owningthemselvesforeverchildren，gatheringpebblesonaboundlessshore。Itisoflittleconsequencehowmanypositionsofcitiessheknows，orhowmanydatesofevents，ornamesofcelebratedpersons——itisnottheobjectofeducationtoturnthewomanintoadictionary;butitisdeeplynecessarythatsheshouldbetaughttoenterwithherwholepersonalityintothehistoryshereads;topicturethepassagesofitvitallyinherownbrightimagination;toapprehend，withherfineinstincts，thepatheticcircumstancesanddramaticrelations，whichthehistoriantoooftenonlyeclipsesbyhisreasoning，anddisconnectsbyhisarrangement：itisforhertotracethehiddenequitiesofdivinereward，andcatchsight，throughthedarkness，ofthefatefulthreadsofwovenfirethatconnecterrorwithretribution。But，chieflyofall，sheistobetaughttoextendthelimitsofhersympathywithrespecttothathistorywhichisbeingforeverdeterminedasthemomentspassinwhichshedrawsherpeacefulbreath;andtothecontemporarycalamity，which，wereitbutrightlymournedbyher，wouldrecurnomorehereafter。Sheistoexerciseherselfinimaginingwhatwouldbetheeffectsuponhermindandconduct，ifsheweredailybroughtintothepresenceofthesufferingwhichisnotthelessrealbecauseshutfromhersight。
Sheistobetaughtsomewhattounderstandthenothingnessoftheproportionwhichthatlittleworldinwhichshelivesandloves，bearstotheworldinwhichGodlivesandloves;——andsolemnlysheistobetaughttostrivethatherthoughtsofpietymaynotbefeebleinproportiontothenumbertheyembrace，norherprayermorelanguidthanitisforthemomentaryrelieffrompainofherhusbandorherchild，whenitisutteredforthemultitudesofthosewhohavenonetolovethem，——andis\"forallwhoaredesolateandoppressed。\"
Thusfar，Ithink，Ihavehadyourconcurrence;perhapsyouwillnotbewithmeinwhatIbelieveismostneedfulformetosay。ThereISonedangerousscienceforwomen——onewhichtheymustindeedbewarehowtheyprofanelytouch——thatoftheology。Strange，andmiserablystrange，thatwhiletheyaremodestenoughtodoubttheirpowers，andpauseatthethresholdofscienceswhereeverystepisdemonstrableandsure，theywillplungeheadlong，andwithoutonethoughtofincompetency，intothatscienceinwhichthegreatestmenhavetrembled，andthewisesterred。Strange，thattheywillcomplacentlyandpridefullybindupwhateverviceorfollythereisinthem，whateverarrogance，petulance，orblindincomprehensiveness，intoonebitterbundleofconsecratedmyrrh。
Strange，increaturesborntobeLovevisible，thatwheretheycanknowleast，theywillcondemn，first，andthinktorecommendthemselvestotheirMaster，bycrawlingupthestepsofHisjudgment—thronetodivideitwithHim。StrangestofallthattheyshouldthinktheywereledbytheSpiritoftheComforterintohabitsofmindwhichhavebecomeinthemtheunmixedelementsofhomediscomfort;andthattheydaretoturntheHouseholdGodsofChristianityintouglyidolsoftheirown;——spiritualdolls，forthemtodressaccordingtotheircaprice;andfromwhichtheirhusbandsmustturnawayingrievedcontempt，lesttheyshouldbeshriekedatforbreakingthem。
Ibelieve，then，withthisexception，thatagirl’seducationshouldbenearly，initscourseandmaterialofstudy，thesameasaboy’s;
butquitedifferentlydirected。Awoman，inanyrankoflife，oughttoknowwhateverherhusbandislikelytoknow，buttoknowitinadifferentway。Hiscommandofitshouldbefoundationalandprogressive;hers，generalandaccomplishedfordailyandhelpfuluse。Notbutthatitwouldoftenbewiserinmentolearnthingsinawomanlysortofway，forpresentuse，andtoseekforthedisciplineandtrainingoftheirmentalpowersinsuchbranchesofstudyaswillbeafterwardsfittestforsocialservice;but，speakingbroadly，amanoughttoknowanylanguageorsciencehelearns，thoroughly——whileawomanoughttoknowthesamelanguage，orscience，onlysofarasmayenablehertosympathiseinherhusband’spleasures，andinthoseofhisbestfriends。
Yet，observe，withexquisiteaccuracyasfarasshereaches。Thereisawidedifferencebetweenelementaryknowledgeandsuperficialknowledge——betweenafirmbeginning，andaninfirmattemptatcompassing。Awomanmayalwayshelpherhusbandbywhatsheknows，howeverlittle;bywhatshehalf—knows，ormis—knows，shewillonlyteasehim。
Andindeed，ifthereweretobeanydifferencebetweenagirl’seducationandaboy’s，Ishouldsaythatofthetwothegirlshouldbeearlierled，asherintellectripensfaster，intodeepandserioussubjects：andthatherrangeofliteratureshouldbe，notmore，butlessfrivolous;calculatedtoaddthequalitiesofpatienceandseriousnesstohernaturalpoignancyofthoughtandquicknessofwit;andalsotokeepherinaloftyandpureelementofthought。Ienternotnowintoanyquestionofchoiceofbooks;
onlyletusbesurethatherbooksarenotheapedupinherlapastheyfalloutofthepackageofthecirculatinglibrary，wetwiththelastandlightestsprayofthefountainoffolly。
Orevenofthefountainofwit;forwithrespecttothesoretemptationofnovelreading，itisnotthebadnessofanovelthatweshoulddread，somuchasitsover—wroughtinterest。Theweakestromanceisnotsostupefyingasthelowerformsofreligiousexcitingliterature，andtheworstromanceisnotsocorruptingasfalsehistory，falsephilosophy，orfalsepoliticalessays。Butthebestromancebecomesdangerous，if，byitsexcitement，itrenderstheordinarycourseoflifeuninteresting，andincreasesthemorbidthirstforuselessacquaintancewithscenesinwhichweshallneverbecalledupontoact。
Ispeakthereforeofgoodnovelsonly;andourmodernliteratureisparticularlyrichintypesofsuch。Wellread，indeed，thesebookshaveserioususe，beingnothinglessthantreatisesonmoralanatomyandchemistry;studiesofhumannatureintheelementsofit。ButI
attachlittleweighttothisfunction：theyarehardlyeverreadwithearnestnessenoughtopermitthemtofulfilit。Theutmosttheyusuallydoistoenlargesomewhatthecharityofakindreader，orthebitternessofamaliciousone;foreachwillgather，fromthenovel，foodforherowndisposition。ThosewhoarenaturallyproudandenviouswilllearnfromThackeraytodespisehumanity;thosewhoarenaturallygentle，topityit;thosewhoarenaturallyshallow，tolaughatit。So，also，theremightbeaserviceablepowerinnovelstobringbeforeus，invividness，ahumantruthwhichwehadbeforedimlyconceived;butthetemptationtopicturesquenessofstatementissogreat，thatoftenthebestwritersoffictioncannotresistit;andourviewsarerenderedsoviolentandone—sided，thattheirvitalityisratheraharmthangood。
Without，however，venturinghereonanyattemptatdecisionhowmuchnovelreadingshouldbeallowed，letmeatleastclearlyassertthis，——thatwhethernovels，orpoetry，orhistoryberead，theyshouldbechosen，notfortheirfreedomfromevil，butfortheirpossessionofgood。Thechanceandscatteredevilthatmayhereandtherehaunt，orhideitselfin，apowerfulbook，neverdoesanyharmtoanoblegirl;buttheemptinessofanauthoroppressesher，andhisamiablefollydegradesher。Andifshecanhaveaccesstoagoodlibraryofoldandclassicalbooks，thereneedbenochoosingatall。Keepthemodernmagazineandnoveloutofyourgirl’sway：
turnherlooseintotheoldlibraryeverywetday，andletheralone。Shewillfindwhatisgoodforher;youcannot：forthereisjustthisdifferencebetweenthemakingofagirl’scharacterandaboy’s——youmaychiselaboyintoshape，asyouwouldarock，orhammerhimintoit，ifhebeofabetterkind，asyouwouldapieceofbronze。Butyoucannothammeragirlintoanything。Shegrowsasaflowerdoes，——shewillwitherwithoutsun;shewilldecayinhersheath，asanarcissuswill，ifyoudonotgiveherairenough;
shemayfall，anddefileherheadindust，ifyouleaveherwithouthelpatsomemomentsofherlife;butyoucannotfetterher;shemusttakeherownfairformandway，ifshetakeany，andinmindasinbody，musthavealways\"HerhouseholdmotionslightandfreeAndstepsofvirginliberty。\"
Letherlooseinthelibrary，Isay，asyoudoafawninafield。
Itknowsthebadweedstwentytimesbetterthanyou;andthegoodonestoo，andwilleatsomebitterandpricklyones，goodforit，whichyouhadnottheslightestthoughtwouldhavebeenso。
Then，inart，keepthefinestmodelsbeforeher，andletherpracticeinallaccomplishmentsbeaccurateandthorough，soastoenablehertounderstandmorethansheaccomplishes。Isaythefinestmodels——thatistosay，thetruest，simplest，usefullest。
Notethoseepithets：theywillrangethroughallthearts。Trytheminmusic，whereyoumightthinkthemtheleastapplicable。I
saythetruest，thatinwhichthenotesmostcloselyandfaithfullyexpressthemeaningofthewords，orthecharacterofintendedemotion;again，thesimplest，thatinwhichthemeaningandmelodyareattainedwiththefewestandmostsignificantnotespossible;
and，finally，theusefullest，thatmusicwhichmakesthebestwordsmostbeautiful，whichenchantstheminourmemorieseachwithitsowngloryofsound，andwhichappliesthemclosesttotheheartatthemomentweneedthem。
Andnotonlyinthematerialandinthecourse，butyetmoreearnestlyinthespiritofit，letagirl’seducationbeasseriousasaboy’s。Youbringupyourgirlsasiftheyweremeantforsideboardornaments，andthencomplainoftheirfrivolity。Givethemthesameadvantagesthatyougivetheirbrothers——appealtothesamegrandinstinctsofvirtueinthem;teachTHEM，also，thatcourageandtrutharethepillarsoftheirbeing：—doyouthinkthattheywouldnotanswerthatappeal，braveandtrueastheyareevennow，whenyouknowthatthereishardlyagirls’schoolinthisChristiankingdomwherethechildren’scourageorsinceritywouldbethoughtofhalfsomuchimportanceastheirwayofcominginatadoor;andwhenthewholesystemofsociety，asrespectsthemodeofestablishingtheminlife，isonerottenplagueofcowardiceandimposture——cowardice，innotdaringtoletthemlive，orlove，exceptastheirneighbourschoose;andimposture，inbringing，forthepurposesofourownpride，thefullglowoftheworld’sworstvanityuponagirl’seyes，attheveryperiodwhenthewholehappinessofherfutureexistencedependsuponherremainingundazzled？
Andgivethem，lastly，notonlynobleteachings，butnobleteachers。
Youconsidersomewhatbeforeyousendyourboytoschool，whatkindofamanthemasteris;——whatsoeverkindofamanheis，youatleastgivehimfullauthorityoveryourson，andshowsomerespecttohimyourself;——ifhecomestodinewithyou，youdonotputhimatasidetable：youknowalsothat，atcollege，yourchild’simmediatetutorwillbeunderthedirectionofsomestillhighertutor，——forwhomyouhaveabsolutereverence。YoudonottreattheDeanofChristChurchortheMasterofTrinityasyourinferiors。
Butwhatteachersdoyougiveyourgirls，andwhatreverencedoyoushowtotheteachersyouhavechosen？Isagirllikelytothinkherownconduct，orherownintellect，ofmuchimportance，whenyoutrusttheentireformationofhercharacter，moralandintellectual，toapersonwhomyouletyourservantstreatwithlessrespectthantheydoyourhousekeeper（asifthesoulofyourchildwerealesschargethanjamsandgroceries），andwhomyouyourselfthinkyouconferanhonouruponbylettinghersometimessitinthedrawing—
roomintheevening？
Thus，then，ofliteratureasherhelp，andthusofart。Thereisonemorehelpwhichshecannotdowithout——onewhich，alone，hassometimesdonemorethanallotherinfluencesbesides，——thehelpofwildandfairnature。HearthisoftheeducationofJoanofArc：—
\"Theeducationofthispoorgirlwasmean，accordingtothepresentstandard;wasineffablygrand，accordingtoapurerphilosophicstandard;andonlynotgoodforourage，becauseforusitwouldbeunattainable。
\"Nextafterherspiritualadvantages，sheowedmosttotheadvantagesofhersituation。ThefountainofDomremywasonthebrinkofaboundlessforest;anditwashauntedtothatdegreebyfairies，thattheparishpriest（cure）wasobligedtoreadmassthereonceayear，inordertokeepthemindecentbounds。
\"ButtheforestsofDomremy——thosewerethegloriesoftheland;forinthemabodemysteriouspowersandancientsecretsthattoweredintotragicstrength。Abbeystherewere，andabbeywindows，——’likeMoorishtemplesoftheHindoos，’thatexercisedevenprincelypowerbothinTouraineandintheGermanDiets。Thesehadtheirsweetbellsthatpiercedtheforestsformanyaleagueatmatinsorvespers，andeachitsowndreamylegend。Fewenough，andscatteredenough，weretheseabbeys，soasinnodegreetodisturbthedeepsolitudeoftheregion;yetmanyenoughtospreadanetworkorawningofChristiansanctityoverwhatelsemighthaveseemedaheathenwilderness。\"{26}
Now，youcannot，indeed，havehereinEngland，woodseighteenmilesdeeptothecentre;butyoucan，perhaps，keepafairyortwoforyourchildrenyet，ifyouwishtokeepthem。ButDOyouwishit？
Supposeyouhadeach，atthebackofyourhouses，agarden，largeenoughforyourchildrentoplayin，withjustasmuchlawnaswouldgivethemroomtorun，——nomore——andthatyoucouldnotchangeyourabode;butthat，ifyouchose，youcoulddoubleyourincome，orquadrupleit，bydiggingacoalshaftinthemiddleofthelawn，andturningtheflower—bedsintoheapsofcoke。Wouldyoudoit？I
hopenot。Icantellyou，youwouldbewrongifyoudid，thoughitgaveyouincomesixty—foldinsteadoffour—fold。
YetthisiswhatyouaredoingwithallEngland。Thewholecountryisbutalittlegarden，notmorethanenoughforyourchildrentorunonthelawnsof，ifyouwouldletthemallrunthere。Andthislittlegardenyouwillturnintofurnaceground，andfillwithheapsofcinders，ifyoucan;andthosechildrenofyours，notyou，willsufferforit。Forthefairieswillnotbeallbanished;therearefairiesofthefurnaceasofthewood，andtheirfirstgiftsseemtobe\"sharparrowsofthemighty;\"buttheirlastgiftsare\"coalsofjuniper。\"
AndyetIcannot——thoughthereisnopartofmysubjectthatIfeelmore——pressthisuponyou;forwemadesolittleuseofthepowerofnaturewhilewehaditthatweshallhardlyfeelwhatwehavelost。
JustontheothersideoftheMerseyyouhaveyourSnowdon，andyourMenaiStraits，andthatmightygraniterockbeyondthemoorsofAnglesea，splendidinitsheatherycrest，andfootplantedinthedeepsea，oncethoughtofassacred——adivinepromontory，lookingwestward;theHolyHeadorHeadland，stillnotwithoutawewhenitsredlightglaresfirstthroughstorm。Thesearethehills，andthesethebaysandblueinlets，which，amongtheGreeks，wouldhavebeenalwaysloved，alwaysfatefulininfluenceonthenationalmind。
ThatSnowdonisyourParnassus;butwhereareitsMuses？ThatHolyheadmountainisyourIslandofAEgina;butwhereisitsTempletoMinerva？
ShallIreadyouwhattheChristianMinervahadachievedundertheshadowofourParnassusuptotheyear1848？——HereisalittleaccountofaWelshschool，frompage261oftheReportonWales，publishedbytheCommitteeofCouncilonEducation。Thisisaschoolclosetoatowncontaining5，000persons：—
\"Ithencalledupalargerclass，mostofwhomhadrecentlycometotheschool。ThreegirlsrepeatedlydeclaredtheyhadneverheardofChrist，andtwothattheyhadneverheardofGod。TwooutofsixthoughtChristwasonearthnow\"（theymighthavehadaworsethoughtperhaps），\"threeknewnothingabouttheCrucifixion。Fouroutofsevendidnotknowthenamesofthemonthsnorthenumberofdaysinayear。Theyhadnonotionofadditionbeyondtwoandtwo，orthreeandthree;theirmindswereperfectblanks。\"
Oh，yewomenofEngland！fromthePrincessofthatWalestothesimplestofyou，donotthinkyourownchildrencanbebroughtintotheirtruefoldofrest，whilethesearescatteredonthehills，assheephavingnoshepherd。Anddonotthinkyourdaughterscanbetrainedtothetruthoftheirownhumanbeauty，whilethepleasantplaces，whichGodmadeatoncefortheirschoolroomandtheirplayground，liedesolateanddefiled。Youcannotbaptizethemrightlyinthoseinch—deepfontsofyours，unlessyoubaptizethemalsointhesweetwaterswhichthegreatLawgiverstrikesforthforeverfromtherocksofyournativeland——waterswhichaPaganwouldhaveworshippedintheirpurity，andyouworshiponlywithpollution。Youcannotleadyourchildrenfaithfullytothosenarrowaxe—hewnchurchaltarsofyours，whilethedarkazurealtarsinheaven——themountainsthatsustainyourislandthrone，——mountainsonwhichaPaganwouldhaveseenthepowersofheavenrestineverywreathedcloud——remainforyouwithoutinscription;altarsbuilt，notto，butbyanUnknownGod。
（III。）Thusfar，then，ofthenature，thusfaroftheteaching，ofwoman，andthusofherhouseholdoffice，andqueenliness。Wenowcometoourlast，ourwidestquestion。——Whatisherqueenlyofficewithrespecttothestate？
Generally，weareunderanimpressionthataman’sdutiesarepublic，andawoman’sprivate。Butthisisnotaltogetherso。A
manhasapersonalworkorduty，relatingtohisownhome，andapublicworkorduty，whichistheexpansionoftheother，relatingtothestate。Soawomanhasapersonalworkorduty，relatingtoherownhome，andapublicworkorduty，whichisalsotheexpansionofthat。
Nowtheman’sworkforhisownhomeis，ashasbeensaid，tosecureitsmaintenance，progress，anddefence;thewoman’stosecureitsorder，comfort，andloveliness。
Expandboththesefunctions。Theman’sdutyasamemberofacommonwealth，istoassistinthemaintenance，intheadvance，inthedefenceofthestate。Thewoman’sduty，asamemberofthecommonwealth，istoassistintheordering，inthecomforting，andinthebeautifuladornmentofthestate。
Whatthemanisathisowngate，defendingit，ifneedbe，againstinsultandspoil，thatalso，notinaless，butinamoredevotedmeasure，heistobeatthegateofhiscountry，leavinghishome，ifneedbe，eventothespoiler，todohismoreincumbentworkthere。
And，inlikemanner，whatthewomanistobewithinhergates，asthecentreoforder，thebalmofdistress，andthemirrorofbeauty：
thatsheisalsotobewithouthergates，whereorderismoredifficult，distressmoreimminent，lovelinessmorerare。
Andaswithinthehumanheartthereisalwayssetaninstinctforallitsrealduties，——aninstinctwhichyoucannotquench，butonlywarpandcorruptifyouwithdrawitfromitstruepurpose：—asthereistheintenseinstinctoflove，which，rightlydisciplined，maintainsallthesanctitiesoflife，and，misdirected，underminesthem;andMUSTdoeithertheoneortheother;——sothereisinthehumanheartaninextinguishableinstinct，theloveofpower，which，rightlydirected，maintainsallthemajestyoflawandlife，and，misdirected，wrecksthem。
Deeprootedintheinnermostlifeoftheheartofman，andoftheheartofwoman，Godsetitthere，andGodkeepsitthere。——Vainly，asfalsely，youblameorrebukethedesireofpower！——ForHeaven’ssake，andforMan’ssake，desireitallyoucan。ButWHATpower？
Thatisallthequestion。Powertodestroy？thelion’slimb，andthedragon’sbreath？Notso。Powertoheal，toredeem，toguide，andtoguard。Powerofthesceptreandshield;thepoweroftheroyalhandthathealsintouching，——thatbindsthefiend，andloosesthecaptive;thethronethatisfoundedontherockofJustice，anddescendedfromonlybystepsofMercy。Willyounotcovetsuchpowerasthis，andseeksuchthroneasthis，andbenomorehousewives，butqueens？
ItisnowlongsincethewomenofEnglandarrogated，universally，atitlewhichoncebelongedtonobilityonly;and，havingoncebeeninthehabitofacceptingthesimpletitleofgentlewomanascorrespondenttothatofgentleman，insistedontheprivilegeofassumingthetitleof\"Lady，\"{27}whichproperlycorrespondsonlytothetitleof\"Lord。\"
Idonotblamethemforthis;butonlyfortheirnarrowmotiveinthis。IwouldhavethemdesireandclaimthetitleofLady，providedtheyclaim，notmerelythetitle，buttheofficeanddutysignifiedbyit。Ladymeans\"bread—giver\"or\"loaf—giver，\"andLordmeans\"maintaineroflaws，\"andbothtitleshavereference，nottothelawwhichismaintainedinthehouse，nortothebreadwhichisgiventothehousehold;buttolawmaintainedforthemultitude，andtobreadbrokenamongthemultitude。SothataLordhaslegalclaimonlytohistitleinsofarasheisthemaintainerofthejusticeoftheLordoflords;andaLadyhaslegalclaimtohertitleonlysofarasshecommunicatesthathelptothepoorrepresentativesofherMaster，whichwomenonce，ministeringtoHimoftheirsubstance，werepermittedtoextendtothatMasterHimself;andwhensheisknown，asHeHimselfoncewas，inbreakingofbread。
Andthisbeneficentandlegaldominion，thispoweroftheDominus，orHouse—Lord，andoftheDomina，orHouse—Lady，isgreatandvenerable，notinthenumberofthosethroughwhomithaslineallydescended，butinthenumberofthosewhomitgraspswithinitssway;itisalwaysregardedwithreverentworshipwhereveritsdynastyisfoundedonitsduty，anditsambitioncorrelativewithitsbeneficence。Yourfancyispleasedwiththethoughtofbeingnobleladies，withatrainofvassals。Beitso;youcannotbetoonoble，andyourtraincannotbetoogreat;butseetoitthatyourtrainisofvassalswhomyouserveandfeed，notmerelyofslaveswhoserveandfeedyou;andthatthemultitudewhichobeysyouisofthosewhomyouhavecomforted，notoppressed，——whomyouhaveredeemed，notledintocaptivity。
Andthis，whichistrueofthelowerorhouseholddominion，isequallytrueofthequeenlydominion;thathighestdignityisopentoyou，ifyouwillalsoacceptthathighestduty。RexetRegina——
RoietReine——\"RIGHT—doers;\"theydifferbutfromtheLadyandLord，inthattheirpowerissupremeoverthemindasovertheperson——
thattheynotonlyfeedandclothe，butdirectandteach。Andwhetherconsciouslyornot，youmustbe，inmanyaheart，enthroned：
thereisnoputtingbythatcrown;queensyoumustalwaysbe：
queenstoyourlovers;queenstoyourhusbandsandyoursons;queensofhighermysterytotheworldbeyond，whichbowsitself，andwillforeverbow，beforethemyrtlecrownandthestainlesssceptreofwomanhood。But，alas！youaretoooftenidleandcarelessqueens，graspingatmajestyintheleastthings，whileyouabdicateitinthegreatest;andleavingmisruleandviolencetoworktheirwillamongmen，indefianceofthepowerwhich，holdingstraightingiftfromthePrinceofallPeace，thewickedamongyoubetray，andthegoodforget。
\"PrinceofPeace。\"Notethatname。Whenkingsruleinthatname，andnobles，andthejudgesoftheearth，theyalso，intheirnarrowplace，andmortalmeasure，receivethepowerofit。Therearenootherrulersthanthey;otherrulethantheirsisbutMISrule;theywhogovernverily\"DeiGratia\"areallprinces，yes，orprincessesofPeace。Thereisnotawarintheworld，no，noraninjustice，butyouwomenareanswerableforit;notinthatyouhaveprovoked，butinthatyouhavenothindered。Men，bytheirnature，arepronetofight;theywillfightforanycause，orfornone。Itisforyoutochoosetheircauseforthem，andtoforbidthemwhenthereisnocause。Thereisnosuffering，noinjustice，nomisery，intheearth，buttheguiltofitlieswithyou。Mencanbearthesightofit，butyoushouldnotbeabletobearit。Menmaytreaditdownwithoutsympathyintheirownstruggle;butmenarefeebleinsympathy，andcontractedinhope;itisyouonlywhocanfeelthedepthsofpain，andconceivethewayofitshealing。Insteadoftryingtodothis，youturnawayfromit;youshutyourselveswithinyourparkwallsandgardengates;andyouarecontenttoknowthatthereisbeyondthemawholeworldinwilderness——aworldofsecretswhichyoudarenotpenetrate;andofsufferingwhichyoudarenotconceive。
Itellyouthatthisistomequitethemostamazingamongthephenomenaofhumanity。Iamsurprisedatnodepthstowhich，whenoncewarpedfromitshonour，thathumanitycanbedegraded。Idonotwonderatthemiser’sdeath，withhishands，astheyrelax，droppinggold。Idonotwonderatthesensualist’slife，withtheshroudwrappedabouthisfeet。Idonotwonderatthesingle—handedmurderofasinglevictim，donebytheassassininthedarknessoftherailway，orreedshadowofthemarsh。Idonotevenwonderatthemyriad—handedmurderofmultitudes，doneboastfullyinthedaylight，bythefrenzyofnations，andtheimmeasurable，unimaginableguiltheapedupfromhelltoheaven，oftheirpriests，andkings。Butthisiswonderfultome——oh，howwonderful！——toseethetenderanddelicatewomanamongyou，withherchildatherbreast，andapower，ifshewouldwieldit，overit，andoveritsfather，purerthantheairofheaven，andstrongerthantheseasofearth——nay，amagnitudeofblessingwhichherhusbandwouldnotpartwithforallthatearthitself，thoughitweremadeofoneentireandperfectchrysolite：—toseeherabdicatethismajestytoplayatprecedencewithhernext—doorneighbour！Thisiswonderful——oh，wonderful！——toseeher，witheveryinnocentfeelingfreshwithinher，gooutinthemorningintohergardentoplaywiththefringesofitsguardedflowers，andlifttheirheadswhentheyaredrooping，withherhappysmileuponherface，andnoclouduponherbrow，becausethereisalittlewallaroundherplaceofpeace：andyetsheknows，inherheart，ifshewouldonlylookforitsknowledge，that，outsideofthatlittlerose—coveredwall，thewildgrass，tothehorizon，istornupbytheagonyofmen，andbeatlevelbythedriftoftheirlife—blood。
Haveyoueverconsideredwhatadeepundermeaningtherelies，oratleastmayberead，ifwechoose，inourcustomofstrewingflowersbeforethosewhomwethinkmosthappy？Doyousupposeitismerelytodeceivethemintothehopethathappinessisalwaystofallthusinshowersattheirfeet？——thatwherevertheypasstheywilltreadonherbsofsweetscent，andthattheroughgroundwillbemadesmoothforthembydepthsofroses？Sosurelyastheybelievethat，theywillhave，instead，towalkonbitterherbsandthorns;andtheonlysoftnesstotheirfeetwillbeofsnow。Butitisnotthusintendedtheyshouldbelieve;thereisabettermeaninginthatoldcustom。Thepathofagoodwomanisindeedstrewnwithflowers;buttheyrisebehindhersteps，notbeforethem。\"Herfeethavetouchedthemeadows，andleftthedaisiesrosy。\"
Youthinkthatonlyalover’sfancy;——falseandvain！Howifitcouldbetrue？Youthinkthisalso，perhaps，onlyapoet’sfancy—
\"EventhelightharebellraiseditsheadElasticfromherairytread。\"
Butitislittletosayofawoman，thatsheonlydoesnotdestroywhereshepasses。Sheshouldrevive;theharebellsshouldbloom，notstoop，asshepasses。YouthinkIamrushingintowildhyperbole！Pardonme，notawhit——ImeanwhatIsayincalmEnglish，spokeninresolutetruth。Youhavehearditsaid——（andI
believethereismorethanfancyeveninthatsaying，butletitpassforafancifulone）——thatflowersonlyflourishrightlyinthegardenofsomeonewholovesthem。Iknowyouwouldlikethattobetrue;youwouldthinkitapleasantmagicifyoucouldflushyourflowersintobrighterbloombyakindlookuponthem：nay，more，ifyourlookhadthepower，notonlytocheer，buttoguard;——ifyoucouldbidtheblackblightturnaway，andtheknottedcaterpillarspare——ifyoucouldbidthedewfallupontheminthedrought，andsaytothesouthwind，infrost——\"Come，thousouth，andbreatheuponmygarden，thatthespicesofitmayflowout。\"Thisyouwouldthinkagreatthing？Anddoyouthinkitnotagreaterthing，thatallthis，（andhowmuchmorethanthis！）youCANdo，forfairerflowersthanthese——flowersthatcouldblessyouforhavingblessedthem，andwillloveyouforhavinglovedthem;flowersthathavethoughtslikeyours，andliveslikeyours;andwhich，oncesaved，yousaveforever？Isthisonlyalittlepower？Faramongthemoorlandsandtherocks，——farinthedarknessoftheterriblestreets，——thesefeeblefloretsarelying，withalltheirfreshleavestorn，andtheirstemsbroken：willyounevergodowntothem，norsettheminorderintheirlittlefragrantbeds，norfencethemintheirtrembling，fromthefiercewind？Shallmorningfollowmorning，foryou，butnotforthem;andthedawnrisetowatch，faraway，thosefranticDancesofDeath;{28}butnodawnrisetobreatheupontheselivingbanksofwildviolet，andwoodbine，androse;norcalltoyou，throughyourcasement——call（notgivingyouthenameoftheEnglishpoet’slady，butthenameofDante’sgreatMatilda，who，ontheedgeofhappyLethe，stood，wreathingflowerswithflowers），saying：—
\"Comeintothegarden，Maud，Fortheblackbat，night，hasflown，Andthewoodbinespicesarewaftedabroad，Andthemuskoftherosesblown\"？
Willyounotgodownamongthem？——amongthosesweetlivingthings，whosenewcourage，sprungfromtheearthwiththedeepcolourofheavenuponit，isstartingupinstrengthofgoodlyspire;andwhosepurity，washedfromthedust，isopening，budbybud，intotheflowerofpromise;——andstilltheyturntoyou，andforyou，\"TheLarkspurlistens——Ihear，Ihear！AndtheLilywhispers——Iwait。\"
DidyounoticethatImissedtwolineswhenIreadyouthatfirststanza;andthinkthatIhadforgottenthem？Hearthemnow：—
\"Comeintothegarden，Maud，Fortheblackbat，night，hasflown，Comeintothegarden，Maud，Iamhereatthegate，alone。\"
Whoisit，thinkyou，whostandsatthegateofthissweetergardenalone，waitingforyou？Didyoueverhear，notofaMaud，butaMadeleine，whowentdowntohergardeninthedawn，andfoundOnewaitingatthegate，whomshesupposedtobethegardener？HaveyounotsoughtHimoften;——soughtHiminvain，allthroughthenight;——
soughtHiminvainatthegateofthatoldgardenwherethefieryswordisset？Heisneverthere;butatthegateofTHISgardenHeiswaitingalways——waitingtotakeyourhand——readytogodowntoseethefruitsofthevalley，toseewhetherthevinehasflourished，andthepomegranatebudded。ThereyoushallseewithHimthelittletendrilsofthevinesthatHishandisguiding——thereyoushallseethepomegranatespringingwhereHishandcastthesanguineseed;——more：youshallseethetroopsoftheangelkeepersthat，withtheirwings，waveawaythehungrybirdsfromthepath—
sideswhereHehassown，andcalltoeachotherbetweenthevineyardrows，\"Takeusthefoxes，thelittlefoxes，thatspoilthevines，forourvineshavetendergrapes。\"Oh——youqueens——youqueens！
amongthehillsandhappygreenwoodofthislandofyours，shallthefoxeshaveholes，andthebirdsoftheairhavenests;andinyourcities，shallthestonescryoutagainstyou，thattheyaretheonlypillowswheretheSonofMancanlayHishead？
PREFACETOTHELATEREDITIONS
Beingnowfifty—oneyearsold，andlittlelikelytochangemymindhereafteronanyimportantsubjectofthought（unlessthroughweaknessofage），Iwishtopublishaconnectedseriesofsuchpartsofmyworksasnowseemtomeright，andlikelytobeofpermanentuse。IndoingsoIshallomitmuch，butnotattempttomendwhatI
thinkworthreprinting。Ayoungmannecessarilywritesotherwisethananoldone，anditwouldbeworsethanwastedtimetotrytorecastthejuvenilelanguage：norisittobethoughtthatIamashamedevenofwhatIcancel;forgreatpartofmyearlierworkwasrapidlywrittenfortemporarypurposes，andisnowunnecessary，thoughtrue，eventotruism。WhatIwroteaboutreligion，was，onthecontrary，painstaking，and，Ithink，forcible，ascomparedwithmostreligiouswriting;especiallyinitsfranknessandfearlessness：butitwaswhollymistaken：forIhadbeeneducatedinthedoctrinesofanarrowsect，andhadreadhistoryasobliquelyassectariansnecessarilymust。
Mingledamongtheseeitherunnecessaryorerroneousstatements，I
find，indeed，somethatmightbestillofvalue;butthese，inmyearlierbooks，disfiguredbyaffectedlanguage，partlythroughthedesiretobethoughtafinewriter，andpartly，asinthesecondvolumeof’ModernPainters，’inthenotionofreturningasfarasI
couldtowhatIthoughtthebetterstyleofoldEnglishliterature，especiallytothatofmythenfavourite，inprose，RichardHooker。
Forthesereasons，——though，asrespectseitherart，policy，ormorality，asdistinctfromreligion，Inotonlystillhold，butwouldevenwishstronglytore—affirmthesubstanceofwhatIsaidinmyearliestbooks，——Ishallreprintscarcelyanythinginthisseriesoutofthefirstandsecondvolumesof’ModernPainters’;andshallomitmuchofthe’SevenLamps’and’StonesofVenice’;butallmybookswrittenwithinthelastfifteenyearswillberepublishedwithoutchange，asneweditionsofthemarecalledfor，withhereandthereperhapsanadditionalnote，andhavingtheirtextdivided，forconvenientreference，intoparagraphs，consecutivethrougheachvolume。Ishallalsothrowtogethertheshorterfragmentsthatbearoneachother，andfillinwithsuchunprintedlecturesorstudiesasseemtomeworthpreserving，soastokeepthevolumes，onanaverage，composedofaboutahundredleaveseach。
Thefirstbookofwhichaneweditionisrequiredchancestobe’SesameandLilies，’fromwhichInowdetachthewholepreface，abouttheAlps，foruseelsewhere;andtoIwhichIaddalecturegiveninIrelandonasubjectcloselyconnectedwiththatofthebookitself。Iamgladthatitshouldbethefirstofthecompleteseries，formanyreasons;thoughinnowlookingoverthesetwolectures，Iampainfullystruckbythewasteofgoodworkinthem。
Theycostmemuchthought，andmuchstrongemotion;butitwasfoolishtosupposethatIcouldrousemyaudiencesinalittlewhiletoanysympathywiththetemperintowhichIhadbroughtmyselfbyyearsofthinkingoversubjectsfullofpain;while，ifImissedmypurposeatthetime，itwaslittletobehopedIcouldattainitafterwards;sincephraseswrittenfororaldeliverybecomeineffectivewhenquietlyread。YetIshouldonlytakeawaywhatgoodisinthemifItriedtotranslatethemintothelanguageofbooks;nor，indeed，couldIatallhavedonesoatthetimeoftheirdelivery，mythoughtsthenhabituallyandimpatientlyputtingthemselvesintoformsfitonlyforemphaticspeech;andthusIamstartled，inmyreviewofthem，tofindthat，thoughthereismuch，（forgivemetheimpertinence）whichseemstomeaccuratelyandenergeticallysaid，thereisscarcelyanythingputinaformtobegenerallyconvincing，oreveneasilyintelligible：andIcanwellimagineareaderlayingdownthebookwithoutbeingatallmovedbyit，stilllessguided，toanydefinitecourseofaction。
Ithink，however，ifInowsaybrieflyandclearlywhatImeantmyhearerstounderstand，andwhatIwanted，andstillwouldfainhave，themtodo，theremayafterwardsbefoundsomebetterserviceinthepassionatelywrittentext。
Thefirstlecturesays，ortriestosay，that，lifebeingveryshort，andthequiethoursofitfew，weoughttowastenoneoftheminreadingvaluelessbooks;andthatvaluablebooksshould，inacivilizedcountry，bewithinthereachofeveryone，printedinexcellentform，forajustprice;butnotinanyvile，vulgar，or，byreasonofsmallnessoftype，physicallyinjuriousform，atavileprice。Forwenoneofusneedmanybooks，andthosewhichweneedoughttobeclearlyprinted，onthebestpaper，andstronglybound。
Andthoughweare，indeed，now，awretchedandpoverty—strucknation，andhardlyabletokeepsoulandbodytogether，still，asnopersonindecentcircumstanceswouldputonhistableconfessedlybadwine，orbadmeat，withoutbeingashamed，soheneednothaveonhisshelvesill—printedorlooselyandwretchedly—stitchedbooks;
forthoughfewcanberich，yeteverymanwhohonestlyexertshimselfmay，Ithink，stillprovide，forhimselfandhisfamily，goodshoes，goodgloves，strongharnessforhiscartorcarriagehorses，andstoutleatherbindingforhisbooks。AndIwouldurgeuponeveryyoungman，asthebeginningofhisdueandwiseprovisionforhishousehold，toobtainassoonashecan，bytheseveresteconomy，arestricted，serviceable，andsteadily——howeverslowly——
increasing，seriesofbooksforusethroughlife;makinghislittlelibrary，ofallthefurnitureinhisroom，themoststudiedanddecorativepiece;everyvolumehavingitsassignedplace，likealittlestatueinitsniche，andoneoftheearliestandstrictestlessonstothechildrenofthehousebeinghowtoturnthepagesoftheirownliterarypossessionslightlyanddeliberately，withnochanceoftearingordog’sears。
ThatismynotionofthefoundingofKings’Treasuries;andthefirstlectureisintendedtoshowsomewhattheuseandpreciousnessoftheirtreasures：butthetwofollowingoneshavewiderscope，beingwritteninthehopeofawakeningtheyouthofEngland，sofarasmypoorwordsmighthaveanypowerwiththem，totakesomethoughtofthepurposesofthelifeintowhichtheyareentering，andthenatureoftheworldtheyhavetoconquer。
Thesetwolecturesarefragmentaryandill—arranged，butnot，I
think，diffuseormuchcompressible。Theentiregistandconclusionofthem，however，isinthelastsixparagraphsofthethirdlecture，whichIwouldbegthereadertolookovernotoncenortwice，（ratherthananyotherpartofthebook，）fortheycontainthebestexpressionIhaveyetbeenabletoputinwordsofwhat，sofarasiswithinmypower，Imeanhenceforwardbothtodomyself，andtopleadwithalloverwhomIhaveanyinfluence，todoalsoaccordingtotheirmeans：thelettersbegunonthefirstdayofthisyear，totheworkmenofEngland，havingtheobjectoforiginating，ifpossible，thismovementamongthem，intruealliancewithwhatevertrustworthyelementofhelptheycanfindinthehigherclasses。Aftertheseparagraphs，letmeaskyoutoread，bythefierylightofrecentevents，thefableatp。170{1}，andthenparagraphs129—131{2};andobserve，mystatementrespectingthefamineatOrissaisnotrhetorical，butcertifiedbyofficialdocumentsaswithinthetruth。Fivehundredthousandpersons，AT
LEAST，diedbystarvationinourBritishdominions，whollyinconsequenceofcarelessnessandwantofforethought。Keepthatwellinyourmemory;andnoteitasthebestpossibleillustrationofmodernpoliticaleconomyintruepractice，andoftherelationsithasaccomplishedbetweenSupplyandDemand。Thenbeginthesecondlecture，andallwillreadclearenough，Ithink，totheend;only，sincethatsecondlecturewaswritten，questionshavearisenrespectingtheeducationandclaimsofwomenwhichhavegreatlytroubledsimplemindsandexcitedrestlessones。Iamsometimesaskedmythoughtsonthismatter，andIsupposethatsomegirlreadersofthesecondlecturemayattheendofitdesiretobetoldsummarilywhatIwouldhavethemdoanddesireinthepresentstateofthings。This，then，iswhatIwouldsaytoanygirlwhohadconfidenceenoughinmetobelievewhatItoldher，ortodowhatI
askedher。